Clove cigarettes are a product consisting of tobacco, clove products, and other ingredients. They also contain nicotine and other toxins that carry the same health risks as conventional cigarettes.
Nicotine is a highly addictive chemical found in certain plants. The tobacco plant contains high levels of nicotine. As such, nicotine is present in most tobacco products, including conventional cigarettes, clove cigarettes, and most e-cigarettes.
This article explores clove cigarettes and their nicotine content, discusses the dangers of smoking, and offers tips to help people quit.
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Clove cigarettes, also known as “kretek,” are a type of cigarette made in Indonesia. They consist of tobacco, cloves, and saus, a blend of plant extracts and oils. Clove cigarettes
Like conventional cigarettes, clove cigarettes contain the addictive chemical nicotine. Around 80–90% of people who smoke regularly have a nicotine addiction.
A 2022 study analyzed the chemical composition of nine brands of clove cigarettes obtained in Brazil. It states that nicotine concentrations in clove cigarettes were lower than in conventional cigarettes. However, clove cigarettes were generally higher in other harmful ingredients.
A 2021 review notes that clove cigarettes often produce more tar and carbon monoxide than conventional cigarettes. These substances increase the risk of cancer and other diseases.
Clove cigarettes also contain additional ingredients. Their composition
The 2022 study found traces of unusual substances in clove cigarettes, including the antibiotic clindamycin and the amphetaminic stimulant octodrine. The presence of these substances raises concern about the compounds in clove cigarettes.
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- asthma
- oral diseases, including oral cancer
- cardiovascular diseases
- heart attacks
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services notes that over 16 million people in America have a disease caused by smoking. It adds that smoking is associated with the following conditions:
Smoking also increases a person’s risk of the following:
Exposure to secondhand cigarette smoke can cause many of the above health problems in individuals who do not smoke.
Other
- reproductive health issues, such as low birth weight
- respiratory and ear infections in children
- sudden infant death syndrome in infants
Quitting smoking is one of the most important things a person who smokes can do to improve their health. According to the
Some tips that may help a person quit smoking include:
- setting a quit date for the near future
- informing family and friends about plans to quit and asking for their help and support
- creating a personalized quit plan, which may include:
- nicotine replacement therapy
- talking therapy
- joining a support network
- learning about factors that trigger cravings and ways to avoid them
- keeping busy to help distract from cravings
- identifying and changing environmental factors that may make it easier to quit
- finding ways to deal with withdrawal symptoms, such as using nicotine gums and patches
- exploring supports, such as apps to understand smoking patterns and cravings or talking with an expert at a quit line, such as 1-877-QUIT-NOW
Talking with a doctor
Healthcare professionals can play a crucial role in helping people quit smoking.
They may be able to:
- connect the person to additional resources, including support groups and quit lines
- make a referral for talking therapy with a qualified and experienced therapist
- prescribe medications to help with quitting smoking
- arrange regular follow-ups to ensure continued support and to help prevent relapses
Learn more about medications that can help with quitting smoking.
Clove cigarettes are a type of cigarette that contain a mixture of tobacco, clove, and other ingredients. As with conventional cigarettes, they have high levels of nicotine, making them highly addictive.
Compared with conventional cigarettes, clove cigarettes produce higher levels of tar and carbon monoxide. They also tend to contain additional toxic substances that are harmful to health.
Quitting smoking can help mitigate or reduce the risk of many of the harmful effects of smoking, regardless of a person’s age and the length of time they have smoked.
People looking to quit smoking can call a quit line for support. A doctor can also provide advice and prescribe medications to help alleviate cravings. With the right support system, a person can quit smoking and enjoy a healthier lifestyle.